Pelvic pain/imobility?

[LilMomma83]

Background: I've always had really loose/instable joints, I went through a similar issue with my shoulder as a teen and it took 5 years to recover from a very small injury - most of my joints always hurt a little; my therapist said I have "multidirectional instabilitzation disorder" but, I am not officially diagnosed with anything). I've been dealing with the pelvic pain ever since I kicked a ball during my second pregnancy - I was instantly in pain and have been in some pain constantly in the 3 years or so since. Inbetween pregnancies I saw a specialist and got some various tests done, and they could find nothing wrong - they wanted to do steroid shots or surgery to look inside my pelvic joints and I decided just to adjust my lifestyle and stop looking into it.

Now: I am 18 weeks pregnant with my third child and the pain is much worse than it has been, even though I am being even more careful with my activities now. I ALSO am having trouble moving around and I feel like the top and back of my pelvis/lower back is locking up a lot - I just feel like I am going to colapse or get stuck or something when I forget and lean forward. I am also getting to the point where it is hard to get up and down or sometimes even just walk without holding onto things...I know I got like this my the end of my last pregnancy, but, I am really nervous that its this bad so early in my pregnancy.. I've done lots of reading, and I am hoping I can try a chiropractor, but, I know it is really not in our budget...I'm just hoping someone has some other idea I have not heard of - all my doctors said last time I was pregnant was to rest - I can't, I work FT (and we need my income) and have 2 little kids, and my husband is never home with me because he works so late.

I'm so upset about this...I was hoping somehow it would not be as much of an issue this time. So anyway, if anybody has any unusal suggestions on how to deal with this or reduce it I would be so thankful...I think I can even take the pain - though it sucks, it's the lack of mobility/stability that is really causing me trouble.

Thanks for reading!

[MarineWife]

Could it be symphysis pubis disfunction (SPD)? I'm 38w pg today and that just hit me a few days ago. It's very painful for me right in the center of my pelvis where the joint is but it can cause pain in other areas like the hips and lower back. I'm also moving very slowly and have to hold onto things. It's hard to stand up.

My MW suggested chiropractic, which I can't afford, either. She also said to alternate heat and cold on the painful area, no squatting or any movements that spread my legs. I should try to keep them together as much as possible. Instead of swinging one leg out wide when I get out of my car to keep both legs together and slide around so I can get in and out with both legs together. Same thing when getting in and out of bed. I should stand up slowly in steps rather than trying to stand up all the way quickly. Hope some of that helps.

[~~Sarah~~]

I've never heard someone say "multidirectional instabilization disorder" before but that sounds like what Symphysis Pubic Dysfunction (or in the UK Pelvic Girdle Pain) is. The hormones of pregnancy make the pelvic bones unstable (for obvious reasons.) 

Chiropractic care gave me some relief early in this pregnancy for a related sacro-iliac problem, but the effects quickly wore off. I stopped going when the treatments stopped working. The problem is that a chiropractor can realign you, but everything will still be unstable thus needing to be realigned again a couple of minutes later. Some people swear by crazy belt contraptions but they haven't helped me any.

The biggest things that have helped me are keeping my knees together at all times and my trusty cane. That and not walking... I'm picking up a wheelchair next week so that I will be able to leave the house and go further than across the street without paying for it dearly in pain.

good luck and let us know if you find better solutions!

[maptome]

I would try contacting chiropractors and seeing if anyone will work with you and your budget.  Hopefully, you can find someone who won't let you suffer just because you can't make the full payment.  Also, double check your health insurance to see if there is a way to cover at least a portion of costs.  Hoping you find a solution and some comfort soon.

[cameragirl]

I second the thought about seeing a good chiropractor. I went 1-2 times a week in the third trimester of my pregnancy with DD. It was the only time I was truly comfortable. I have a problem with my pelvis and lower back not staying in alignment, and it does take several visits to get it to "stick". Another benefit - most have tables that drop down in the middle, so you can lay on your stomach. They'd turn off the lights and let me take a nap while the tens unit was on.

[MarineWife]

Originally Posted by ~~Sarah~~ 

Some people swear by crazy belt contraptions but they haven't helped me any.

I have one of those crazy belt contraptions. My MW suggested a few months back when I was having severe sciatica and swelling. My insurance covered it so I figured I'd try it. I only wore it for a few days but didn't notice that it was helping and it was uncomfortable so I stopped using it. I pulled it out and tried it again when I started having this SPD problem. It didn't seem to help with that, either.

I do find that, opposite of you, my pain lessens the more I walk. It may be excruciating when I first get up (The worst is in the middle of the night or the morning after I've been laying down for awhile.), but the longer I move around the better it feels as long as I don't lift or carry anything heavy or do any housework.

[prothyraia]

Get this book:  http://www.amazon.com/Relieving-Pelvic-During-After-Pregnancy/dp/0897934806/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1311038250&sr=1-1

I've probably recommended it a dozen times here now; someone on Mothering recommended it to me during my second pregnancy and it made the difference between crippling pain/inability to function and being able to walk and move about almost normally.  I can't say enough good things about it.  :)

[birdhappy85]

I have the most difficulty standing up first thing in the morning after a rough night of tossing and turning in my sleep and after I've been sitting at a 90 degree angle for a while (which sucks because I'm ALWAYS in that position at a computer). My midwife suspected SPD and sent me to a chiropractor who specializes in pregnancy. The chiro treatments started helping a lot after the first few sessions! I feel so much better aligned and walking is less painful. I saw the doctor twice a week at first and now am down to twice a month. A maternity belt only helped my posture and strength while standing for long periods of time doing house chores, but it actually kind of hurt my pubic area more afterwards. My chiro gave me pubic strengthening exercises to do and I'm icing my lower back and front of the pelvis daily.

Edited by birdhappy85 - 8/7/11 at 9:09am

[LilMomma83]

Thanks for all your suggestions, I am going to try and get the book also.

Yeah it is definately worse after I go for a long time without moving...but then it is worse if I overdo it during the day too...like the other day I did about 2hrs of housework in the morning and then took the kids to the park, later on I sat on the fouton for an hour or so, when I went to get up I could not, so just crawled across the house to my bed (mattress on the floor), I woke up the next morning and felt better...but then most mornings it is worse for the first few minutes after I get up. DH helps me move around in bed and getting up/down from bed when he is home.

I swam yesterday, and I was able to find a way to adjust my strokes that it did not hurt as much, so maybe that will help some - staying mobile without bearing weight...one can hope anyway!

[MarineWife]

I've been wondering if swimming, or at least being in a pool, would help. Unfortunately, I can't even walk to the pool because I'd have to take my boys, which means I'd have to carry a heavy bag with a bunch of stuff in it. They do not understand that I can't really do anything with them.

Some men came to my rescue at the grocery store yesterday. They saw me struggling to put my bags in the car and came over to help me. They even pushed the cart back to the store for me. I was so grateful I almost cried.

[LilMomma83]

Originally Posted by MarineWife 

I've been wondering if swimming, or at least being in a pool, would help. Unfortunately, I can't even walk to the pool because I'd have to take my boys, which means I'd have to carry a heavy bag with a bunch of stuff in it. They do not understand that I can't really do anything with them.

Some men came to my rescue at the grocery store yesterday. They saw me struggling to put my bags in the car and came over to help me. They even pushed the cart back to the store for me. I was so grateful I almost cried.

I waited all week to go to Sam's Club (until DH could come with me) because there is no way I was going to lift that stuff. Can you just not bring the stuff and change at home? Just wondering - I have no idea where you live or what your situation is like! With DS2 I was not swimming, but, I was standing/walking in the water while teaching swim lessons - I honestly think that was my saving grace with him. I realize I have it pretty easy as far as that goes though because I work at a sports complex and my office is adjacent to the pool deck - and sense I am at work, I do not have my boys with me. We will get through this one way or another...

[MarineWife]

Originally Posted by LilMomma83 

Can you just not bring the stuff and change at home?

We do dress at home but neither of my boys can swim well so I need to bring their floaty stuff. Then there are the towels and at least 3 water bottles and snacks. There's no food available at the pool we go to. My mom is coming this weekend. I'm hoping we'll be able to go to the pool at least once and she can carry stuff. The last time I went to the pool (before I had this SPD) it felt so good being in the pool but really weird when I got out. It was like all the weight suddenly came crashing back down on me.

[LilMomma83]

Has anyone done phsyical therapy for this? I saw a midwife last week that recently joined the practice and I decided to mention it to her even though I did not expect her to take me seriously, but, she asked me some questions and then suggested therapy...she did not give me a diagnosis but when the PT place called they had really limited appointments because they said only 2 of their therapists treat my condition (whatever condition it is..I don't even know - I guess I will ask when I go in)...anyway my appointment for consult is the 16th and hopefully I get some regular therapy starting soon after...and hopefully it will help!

[jrose_lee]

I just wanted to add that halfway through my first pregnancy my pelvis went out of allignment.  I didn't know it at the time and didn't discover it until my son was almost two.  I went to see a woman's physical therapist that was recommended here to me at MDC and she knew immediately what the problem was.  After two or three appointments she had realligned my pelvis and I could tell immediately that she had fixed it.  I don't know if this could be a problem for you, but it could be something to look into.  You could do a search for women's physical therapists in your area. 

[falafala]

I agree with all the responses that say it sounds like PSD or SPD. I have always had loose joints (elbows that slip out of place) and I think that the relaxin was just too much for me.

I found a lot of help on this site http://backpainandpregnancy.blogspot.com/2008/09/understanding-pelvic-pain-in-pregnancy.html

[LilMomma83]

Thanks...

An update-

So I just had my FINAL physical therapy appointment today (I had 4 land and 5 water appointments and then all my "homework" which I am supposed to continue) and I am a completely different person! The first session I could hardly do anything but the therapist helped get my plevis into align (it was tilted to the left), then I have been working on strengthening my core/pelvic floor/leg muscles to keep it in place and ease the pressure on my joints (very similar to the treatment I went through and have continued for my shoulder injury). I can walk, I go can climb stairs, I can get in and out of bed by myself, I can even stand on one leg! Other than being off balance (maybe because I'm 31 weeks pregnant and have a huge belly lol) I feel as good as I did before I got a pregnant, and I have hope that if I continue this I will fully recover and get to do my triathlon after the baby is born - YAY!!!! I am seriously so happy...I really thought I was going to end up with a cane or something by the end and eve nwhen I started PT I was just hoping to maintain - never in a million years thought I would get better, let alone this much better!

[L'lee]

Great news!!!

Did you get around to reading the book from the link above? I'm curious if your therapy was similar to what she suggested.

I want to try some of the exercises, but I'm nervous to lie on my back as long as she suggests!

[Celticqueen]

I could have written this thread! I too have flexible hyper mobile joints and ligaments and am also on my 3rd pregnancy and have been in absolute horrible pain. Glad to know you're getting it under control. Physical therapy and chiropractic care are my GODSENDS right now. I didn't read all the comments, but are you getting chiropractic care too? People with joints like ours can get amazing relief from physical therapy and chiro. care. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy! I hope you continue to have success with relief